Like every graphic designer in the world right now, I am mourning the passing of Steve Jobs. I have been in love with the Macintosh computer since I discovered I wouldn't have to be at the mercy of a typesetter any longer. Not to mention the elimination of paste-up, exacto knifes, rubber cement and kerning. Most of the artists and designers of that era resented the computer, but I embraced the new technology and adapted quite well. Not to date myself or anything, but this was my first Macintosh. It looked like a bread box, the screen was small and black in white.

I had been a graphic designer right out of college, until my first daughter was born, and then I took an eight year sabbatical to be a stay-at-home-mom. Little did I know, that during those eight years, graphic design as I knew it, like Madonna, had completely reinvented itself. I had to get my ass back to school and that is when I went to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, so I could resume my career after my divorce. At first, I thought it would be so much easier, but that was before I was introduced to the learning curve of Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. Thank God, all the computers were Macs and I cringe when I think how unpleasant life would have been, if the only choice for a designer was a PC.

I am so lucky I had a successful career doing what I loved. My relationship with Apple was probably the best, if not longest one in my life. Granted, I went through about 6 computers, always getting bored and looking for the new, upgraded version. But I was faithful to Apple and never gave Bill Gates the time of day. My ipod became my diversion when my eyes could no longer look at another annual report, and it got to the point where I started sleeping with it every night. Once Al Gore invented the Internet, I never looked back. Today, most of my life is consumed by the web and I can not go longer than a few hours, without having to google something, check my email and get bored to death by Facebook. A day without internet access is like a day without oxygen.

I owe it all to Steve Jobs, who came up with all the innovative ideas for the things I love, especially my new ipad 2. Thanks for making my world a better, if not pathetic, place.

Vespa is my daughter's dog, but she still lived at home when she got her, so the two of us bonded early on. She is a Rhodesian Ridge-back and has the temperament and personality of Madonna. Cold bitch most of the time, unless you happen to have some food in your hand, then she will work out a deal.

I have to hand it to her, she went from slut to wonderful mother, almost overnight. Because she didn't practice birth control and lived with a male Mastiff, she gave birth to 12 puppies. It was heartwarming to watch her nurse those 12 adorable critters, without ever taking a break for herself. I thought nursing one kid at a time was exhausting so I personally expected her to take off with the Retriever down the street. Fortunately, she stayed and was a wonderful, caring milk factory mother to her puppies. That was the only time she let her ego take a back seat. She didn't leave that spot for six weeks and her twelve puppies all grew up to be healthy, enormous, beautiful dogs, with the ridge growing down their backs, just like mom.

Even though she buried her husband and some of her offspring, she still manages to remain young at heart. She has even adjusted to my granddaughter and has accepted the fact that she is no longer the "top dog" of the house. I love her more than anything and can't imagine my world without her.

She may have a chip on her shoulder, but you would too if you were named after an Italian scooter.

It's always sad when you hear that an acquaintance has died of cancer, especially when she was only 53 years old. Heartbreaking, because she was in the process of fulfilling her lifetime dream and only days away from opening a top-notch restaurant, in the middle of Los Angeles. Devastating because of the two sons and lover she leaves behind.

She was an incredible cook and baker and I got to know her through her Pasadena bakery, many years ago. I adored her pastries, cookies, cakes, sandwiches and was heartbroken when she had to close shop. She had many ups and downs in her life, but she was finally enjoying it to the fullest, doing what she did best. In just a few weeks, she would have been on top of the world, ready to exceed the the expectations a whole city placed on her.

It's things like this that send you an important message. Life is short. Life is hard. Life is not fair. Life happens to everyone. It's sad to go out when you are at the top of your game. But then, it's sad to go out anytime.

The restaurant will open, it will be successful, but it won't be the same.

The rains bring a fabulous sunset. I live half a block from this, and I hardly ever take advantage. I know I have had a broken knee, but even before that, I seldom walk to the beach to see the sunset. Before I lived here, I was so envious of the people who could come here to escape the pressures of the world. Now that I live here, I never seem to have the time.

Promise to self: I will start making every minute count and enjoy all the gifts in my life. Starting immediately.

Today is the first of October and it actually rained, accompanied by thunder and lightening. Who says we don't have seasons in Southern California? We may not have the changing of the leaves and the cool, brisk weather, but we certainly have pumpkins. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, pumpkin cupcakes, organic pumpkins, range free pumpkins and pumpkin cookies. This year, because of Hurricane Irene, there is actually a pumpkin shortage. Luckily, it is mostly in the Northeast, but I am sure the prices will double in California out of sympathy for our fellow Easterners. Kind of like how gasoline prices go up 20 cents a gallon right before Labor Day weekend.

There are so many recipes I want to try using pumpkin, but I have officially declared October "National Diet Month." Four whole weeks before the Halloween candy starts clogging the arteries. There is no time to diet after that, as Thanksgiving is not too far behind. And I won't even get into Christmas.